Toy gymnasium for baby cribs



March 9, 1948. 'L. H. BURLIN TOY GYMNASIUM FOR BABY CRIBS Filed Dec. 10, 1945 Patented Mar. 9.194s

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE TOY GYMNASIUM FOR BABY CRIBS Application December 10, 1945, Serial No. 633,973

This invention relates to amusement and exercising devices for use by Very small children, particularly by infants lying in a cri It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a toy of the type which may be stretched across a baby's crib or play pen and which toy may be swung from one position to alternate position in response to a tug or pull on the toy by the baby. The toy is provided with two handles so arrangedthat a pull on one handle causes the toy to swing in one direction and a pull on the other handle causes the toy to swing in the opposite position.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a toy of theabove mentioned character with an animated figure which swings from one position to an alternate position in response to the tugs of theinfant on the respective handles. As the toy is swung by the infant from one position to the other the animated figure onthe toy also pivots to an alternate position. This constitutes a source of attraction and amusement to the infant and thereby repeatedly attracts the child to operate the toy. This not only keeps the child amused, and therefore happy, but also 25 results in exercising of the child with consequent benefits.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in con- 3 junction with the accompanying drawing formingapart thereof. 1 V

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view of the toy of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the handies of the toy; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In the drawing the reference numerals l and 2 indicate a pair of end members. The end member l comprises a cylindrical body portion 3 having a knob 4 projecting from the top and a similar knob 5 projecting from the bottom. The

body portion 3 is provided with a pair of holes 45 8-1 drilled into but not through the body portion. The holes B-'l are parallel and one end of a rail member 8 is permanently secured in the hole 6. The'rail member 8 is substantially circular in cross section but is provided with a 50 longitudinal groove 9 in its lower surface. Anotherrail member I0, similar to the member 8, has one end permanently secured in the hole 1 and is provided with a longitudinal groove H in its upper surface.

- 7 Claims. (Cl. 27261) groove I 8.

The opposit nds of the rail 55 members 8 and III are secured in the end member 2 which is a duplicate of the end member I. A plurality of marbles I2 is mounted between the grooves 9 and H so as to be freely movable longitudinally of the rail members in either direction as the device is tilted. The grooves 9 and II are deep enough so that the marbles can not come out.

An upright member l3, centrally disposed; is

"210 provided with parallel apertures l t-l5, through which the rail members 8 and I 0 pass. The member l3 has a knob l8 projecting from its top and a knob I1 projecting from its bottom. The knob I 6 is provided with a groove '18 arranged parallel to the apertures l4 and I5. An animated figure I 9 is mounted in the groove l8 and is secured in pivotal relation thereto by means of a pin driven into the knob l6 and through the portion of the animated figure projecting into the The figure I 9 is provided with a pair of apertures 2l--22 spaced slightly higher than the knob l6 and on either side thereof. A tape or string 23 has its central portion permanently secured to the lower portion of the animated figure bybeing passed through the aperture 2| twice, then over to the aperture 23 and through it twice. It will be obvious that the tape or string 23 would be operative to a certain extent 0 if it were passed through the apertures 2i and -22 only once. It is also possible to use two separate tapes and tie one end of each to one of the apertures 2| and 22. However, I prefer the structure illustrated because no knots are visible 35 with the single tape and the double passing through the apertures 2| and 22 provides a more positive actuation of the animated figure.

One end of the tape 23 is threaded thrpugh a 'plurality of bead like members 24 one of which 40 is preferably elongated to serve as a handle which the infant may grab and hold. The end 'of the tape is then passed through an aperture 25 in the knob 5 and is tied into a knot. The I aperture 25 is relatively large on the right hand side of the knob 5 as seen in Figure 1, but is of reduced diameter on the left side. Afterthe knot is tied it'is pulled into the wide portion of the aperture 25 but cannot pass through the small portion. The opposite end of the tape 23 is secured to the knob 28 in the same manner.

A teething ring 21 is secured to the knob I! by means of a tape 28. One or more bead like members 29 may be mounted on the tape 28 to increase its attractiveness to an infant.

A securing member 30 has a tape 3! threaded 'bles being free'to roll through a pair of apertures 32 adjacent its opposite ends and then both ends of the tape are passed through an aperture 33 in the knob 4. The aperture 33 has one end of large diameter to receive the knot by which the ends of the tape 3| are tied together and has one end of reduced diameter to prevent the knot passing through. A second securing member 34 is secured to the knob 35 by the tape it tied in the same manner. In order to secure the device to a crib, play pen or similar supporting structure the securing member 38 is Wrapped around a member 3-! com-;

prising part of the supporting structure and is then tucked under the tape 3'! to form a-loop 38 embracing the member S'LasShoWninQFigure1Q: Tension on the tape 3! tightens the loop 38 until the securing member 30' and the support member 31 are in juxtaposition.

The operation of the device is obvious from the foregoing description. .When the securing members 30 and 3.4 {are securedto the supporting members it! the: handles 34 should be Within grasping distance of the infant, A slight tug or pull on either handle will cause the corresponding end of the animated figure to move downwardly. Continued tension on the same handle vwill tilt the device and cause .the marbles 12. to

roll down the rails. A tug on the other handle 34 will reverse the entire sequence of events.

Although I have described apreferred embodiment of my invention considerable detail it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather: than restrictive, as many details may be modified. or changed Without departingfr'om the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire .to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

Iclaimi v 1. In a toy gymnasium and exercisef for cribs and of the type whichis to be supportedin a manner permitting fr'eemovement thereof apair of end members and a pair of parallel rail members secured therebetween, said rail. members having oppositely disposed longitudinally extending grooves, a plurality oi marbles permanently secured between saidgrooves, said marin either direction as the device is tilted;v an'upright member through ,which said rail members extend, a groove in, the upper portion of said upright member, an animated figurepivotallymounted insaid groove, a

pair of apertures in said animated figure on opposite sides of and slightly higher than the point at which. said animated figure is pivoted, a tape passing through both of said apertures, the opposite ends of said tape being secured to said end members, and a pair of handles. secured to the tape, one handle being on either side of said animated figure whereby said-animated'figure may be moved on its pivot by a pull on either handle and force on said handle will tilt said rails to cause said marbles to roll from one side to the otherfi 2. In a combination toy and exerciser andof the type which is. to be supported in a manner permitting free movementthereof, :a pair of parallel rails having a plurality of freely movable marbles permanently secured therebetween, a fixed member projecting above said rails, an animated figure pivotally-secured to said projecting member, and a tape secured to said figure, said tape being operable to move said figure about its pivot and force on said tape will tilt said rails to cause said marbles to roll from one side to the other.

3. In a combination toy and exerciser, a pair of parallel rails having a plurality of freely movable marbles permanently retained therebetween, flexible means for securing said rails to a crib while permitting their free movement, an upright member'nxed to said rails, an animated figure pivotally secured to said upright member, and a member to a crib, an animated figure pivotally secured to said rail member, cords secured to said figure on opposite sides of the pivot, handles secured to said cords, said handles being operative to move said. figure around its pivot point.

51 In a combination." toy and exerciser, a figure pivotally secured to a member constituting a support therefor, said figure? having an aperture on each side of its pivot point in a plane above said pivot point, and a tapefsecured to each of said apertures whe1'eby 'said-figure may be moved in either direction around said pivot' point.

6. In-a combination toy and exerciser, a rigid member, apair of tapes secured at theopposite end of said rigid member for securing said rigid member to a crib in horizontal position", a pivoted member secured to said rigid member intermediate its ends, and means secured to said pivoted member operative to move said pivoted member on its pivot and to tilt said rigid member from and horizontal position. 1 l

7. In a, combination toy and exerciser, a rigid member, a pair of tapes secured at the opposite ends of said rigid membenfor securing it to a crib in horizontal position, a pivoted member secured medially of said rigid member, and a pair of tapes secured to said pivot member on opposite sides of its pivot point, said tapes each being operable to move one end of said pivoted member towards said rigid member and to then tilt said rigid member from its horizontal position.

LESLIE H. BURLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

